Month: October 2018

Trick or Treat

Dear Sis,

William went trick or treating for the first time! He very quickly figured out that he was supposed to pick a few pieces of candy and say thank you. The neighbors got a kick out of our matching costumes:) 

We even got to meet the last few neighbors with whom we hadn’t yet been aquatinted.

It started to rain about 20 or 30 minutes in so we walked back home to relieve daddy or candy distribution duty, so he could go to sleep. William enjoyed playing the little and cute card and double dipped at all the houses on the way back. William may have enjoyed handing out candy more than collecting it. He loves when people come to the door. He is always certain they are there to see him:) William also enjoyed eating as much candy as he wanted. Right before bed… none the less!

Love,

b

Bee Costume Sewing Instructions

4 Months Old

Hi Sis,

Evelyn is four months old! Naturally, we did a photoshoot. She weighs 14 lb, 11 oz, and is 25 inches tall.

Love,

Jamiegoof

Visiting a Farm

Dear Aunt Jamiegoof,

Today Daddy took us to Brown Family Farm to play. I said hello to the “bawk-bawks.” They reminded me of you.

I found a village of play houses. They were just the right size.

I tried to drive the tractor, but it wouldn’t go.

The “neigh-neighs” were very pretty. I watched them eat for a while.

ROCKS!!! SO MANY ROCKS! 

A picture with Mama!

Mama was running through the tiers, so I tried too.

Mama bought two giant boxes of apples while Daddy and I played with the pumpkin wagon.

Hugs,

William

Family Train Ride

Dear Sis,

William has developed a particular fondness for trains since we’ve moved to Ohio. Today, Daddy took us for a train ride! William was excited when we were outside the train waiting to board. 

He was even more excited when we went inside and found our seats. Sitting in a train was new and special. Then, the train started to move! He couldn’t contain himself at that point and started choo-chooing. On his second choo-choo, the train whistle blew and he couldn’t let out lots squeals of elation!!!

The baggage car had a lot of yummy fall treats. William and I tried to share a caramel apple. He loves apples, but the caramel was too much of a jaw work out. He gave up after a few bites and decided to eat half a bag of kettle corn instead:)

Love,

b

Baby Sweater Pattern

Hi Sis,

Sometimes I enjoy making projects that don’t take months to complete. This cute and fast working baby sweater is one of them. I can actually make this sweater in a day! It is also seamless, and not a fitted garment so it should last a little one awhile. Evelyn started wearing hers when she was wearing 0 – 3 month old clothing, and it still fits her at 3 – 6 months.  

Note: While I did use this weather for a living history event, this is not a historical pattern! 

 

Material List

Soft worsted or dk weight yarn
Size I hook 

Sleeves

Chain 22. Slip stitch to join in round.

Chain 3 (first double crochet) double crochet around. Join in the round by slip stitching into the top of the chain 3. (22 stitches total).

Continue in this fashion until you have eight rows of double crochet. Fasten off. Make another. Trim your sleeves in a row of single crochet in a contrasting color.

Body

Chain 52. 

Row 1: Double crochet in fourth chain. Double crochet in each chain until the tend. In the last stitch, do (2 double crochet, 2 chain, 4 double crochet, 2 chain, 2 double crochet). Then, double crochet along the other side of your chain. When you reach the other end, turn the corner in the same fashion as the first corner. Remember, the chain 3 at the start of the row counts as your first double crochet. Join row by slip stitching into the top of the chain.

Rows 2 – 5:  Chain 3 and double crochet in each double crochet across. In the chain spaces below do (2 double crochet, 2 chain, 2 double crochet). Join row with a slip stitch into the top of the third chain. Yes, your row will not end at the corner anymore…. see picture below to see where I fastened off.

Fasten off

Shoulder Section

There should be 66 stitches total along the long side of your sweater base. If not that is okay, you can add or decrease stitches in your next row. I recommend decreasing/increasing at the sleeve area, so it will be difficult to see your increase or decrease.

Join yarn on the start of a long row, in the chain 2 space. Chain 3, double crochet 16. Now stop! Pick up a sleeve. Double crochet all the way around the 22 stitches in the sleeve. Slip stitch into the first double crochet on your sleeve, this will prevent a hole. 

Now, go back to the sweater base, double crochet 34 stitches, do the other sleeve, double crochet 17 stitches. Your last stitch should end in the chain space. Turn work.

Row 2: Chain 3, double crochet in the next 14 stitches, double crochet 5 stitches together, double crochet 19 stitches on the sleeve, double crochet 5 stitches together, double crochet 28, dc5t0g, double crochet 19, dc5tog, dc15. Turn work.

Row 3: Chain 3, dc 11, dc5tog, dc15, dc5tog, dc24, dc5tog, dc15, dc5tog, dc12

Row 4: Chain3, dc 9, dc5tog, dc11, dc5tog, dc20, dc5tog, dc11, dc5tog, dc10

Row5: Chain3, dc7, dc5tog, dc7, dc5tog, dc16, dc5tog, dc7, dc5tog, dc8

Row 6: chain3, dc 5, dc5tog, dc3, dc5tog, dc12, dc5tog, dc3, dc5tog, dc 6. Fasten off.

Trimming

(Read all directions before commencing) With contrasting color single crochet around the sweater. Do 3 single crochet in ever corn. When, you arrive at the ch2 hole in the middle of each side of the sweater make your ties. Ties are chains of 36, that are slip stitched back to the sweater. Fasten off. Weave in tails.

Love, 

Jamiegoof




New Knitting Needles

Hi Sis,

Hanging out on the knitting groups for inspiration… because I don’t have enough things I want to knit, I have come across many new techniques. One thing I have noticed, is that many sock knitters really like 9″ circular needles. It makes sense, after all one would never have to reposition needles, so it would be much faster. So, I ordered a 9″ circular needle. It arrived a few months ago, but other projects had to come first!

But, I finally got to try them. I have to say, they are a learning curve. The hands get used to moving in a certain way. So, trying new needles is a pain in the butt. I told myself I would duke it out for at least a pair of socks or two. I am currently almost to the heal of my first sock. 

I am getting faster at using them, and a little better at holding this type of needle. I tend to hold onto the needle with my whole hand, so learning how to knit with just my finger tips has been a new adventure entirely. With these needles I have to loosen up my grip and just use my finger tips to lead the way. When I manage to do so, I am actually faster then when I use the magic loop! But, my hands still try to revert to my old style of knitting, and I can cramp up after a few rows. We shall see if I figure it out 🙂

Love,

Jamiegoof

Quilted Bonnet Progress

Dear Sis,

Our dinner/bonnet-making party, Friday evening, went very well. I didn’t get much work done that night, but the last two days I have one bonnet ready for trimming and another being quilted. Of course, I took a simple project and made it crazy, by completely hand sewing it! I am using Anna Woden Bauersmith’s Quilted Winter Hood pattern, which is one of the nicest period patterns I’ve used:)

The pattern has two crown sizes. Your smaller face won’t be overcome by this petite bonnet:) I can’t wait to give it to you so I can see the look on your face when you try it on!

Love,

b

 

Babylist Baby Box

Hi Sis,

I got a surprise, babylist sent me their baby box! For some reason, this is becoming a thing with with baby registry’s. Advertising I guess. I expected it to have formula, as formula companies tend to be the pushiest advertisers. But, alas it did not!

I remember filling out some information and heard mention of it when I was creating my online registry. But, I have long forgotten about the baby box! My baby shower was what six months ago?

So what was in the box?

A baby registry guide book! I have to admit this would have been helpful when making my registry. Now my kid is four months old. lol

A colic bottle, 2 disposable nursing pads and 2 breastmilk storage bags. 

A pacifier, bodywash and lotion samples, and a nipple balm sample

Six wipes, a size one diaper, a pampers bag, a sample of baby laundry detergent and registry card to put in your baby shower invite.

I have to admit, I am pretty excited about the pampers pouch. Looks like a great project bag for socks. lol

I also want to see if Evelyn likes this style of pacifier. So far, she hasn’t been interested in any of them. 

After all this you may wonder if I liked babylist? The answer is… Yes and no! I liked how the website worked a great deal, and how flexible it was as I could add items from any website to that registry. However, I found almost everyone using the Target registry as many prefered going to the store over online shopping.

Love,

Jamiegoof